Housing program getting lives back on track

A community organisation in Western Sydney says it's making progress in its bid to house 50 of the most vulnerable people living rough in the region. It's housed three people so far, including Hannah, the heroin addicted sex worker who first spoke to AM three months ago. She's now on the methadone program and off the streets.

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TONY EASTLEY: A community organisation in Western Sydney says it's making progress in its bid to house 50 of the most vulnerable people living rough in the region.

It's just helped house Hannah, the heroin addicted sex worker who first spoke to AM three months ago.

She was deemed as one of the most at risk of dying on the streets and was given priority in the 50 Lives 50 Homes campaign.

Today Hannah is living in a Housing Department unit in Western Sydney.

Lindy Kerin reports.

LINDY KERIN: The outside of the Department of Housing block in Tregear in Western Sydney is covered in graffiti and there are many broken windows in the multi-story building.

But for Hannah this is the first real home she's had in 20 years.

HANNAH: Yeah, come through. Hallway, bathroom.

LINDY KERIN: Hannah moved in just over two weeks ago as part of the 50 Lives 50 Homes campaign. It's a program based on the belief that housing is the first step to help people get their lives back on track.

LINDY KERIN: When she first spoke to AM three months ago Hannah was living in a squat and working as a prostitute in an industrial area near Blacktown.

But since she's moved into her new home that's all changed. She's given up sex work and has started the methadone program.

HANNAH: Since I've been on methadone I haven't been, I haven't used.

LINDY KERIN: And what about the street work?

HANNAH: I haven't been back. Yeah, I haven't worked since I got this place.

LINDY KERIN: Just before she moved into her unit it was firebombed. It still smells like smoke and some of the windows bordered up to prevent squatters are still in place.

Nonetheless Hannah says she's very grateful.

HANNAH: Considering I was on the street and had no boards, no roof, no doors, no nothing. And now I have this so I think I'm very fortunate.

LINDY KERIN: Steph Brennan from Wentworth Community Housing group says Hannah's story is a good example of the housing first principle.

STEPH BRENNAN: It's basically using the most resources for those who are most likely to die on the street, using the resources to provide the most expensive services which is permanent support of housing which however are the most cost effective.

Because to permanently house someone and keep them housed who is in that very high risk group is cheaper than actually keeping them out on the street where they use, police cells, emergency departments, mental health units, drug and alcohol facilities etc.

LINDY KERIN: As well as stopping sex work and getting on the methadone program Hannah is starting treatment for the cancer she was diagnosed with almost two years ago.

HANNAH: My doctor's away at the moment but he'll be back from holidays in another week and I'll commence treatment then.

It's changed my point of view on a lot of things, having a home. I'm happy. Look honestly I - words just can't explain how happy I am.

Everybody should have this, yeah, because it's like a big luxury. It still hasn't, you know every day hasn't dawned on me that this is really mine, this is my home.